Bones
The world shook. The parts in Ratchet's shop rattled and jostled around. Tools that were hanging from shelves clattered to the floors. Benches, crates, and heavy equipment were bouncing like popcorn. But it was the roar that chilled him to his bones. It was like a Grunthor breathing into his ears.
I have to get out!
He frantically ran through his garage, towards the open hangar door where the Veldin sun blazed through. That's when he saw her.
Angela?
Angela Cross sat on his pullout chair reading a magazine. He shouted to her, at her, but no response. He pulled himself on unsteady legs towards her, he shouted at her again but she shifted the chair and turned away.
He was heading back to the entrance when he saw someone else.
Sasha!
Sasha Phyronix was on the other side of the hanger, reading his current project list. The roaring and the shaking continued.
I need to get out!
He staggered over to her. She was looking at a galactic map now. The earthquake and the roar had no effect on her. Why wasn't she running!
He shouted to her too, begging her to run, begging her to come with him. She looked over her shoulder at him for all of two seconds before she disappeared into Grim's old office.
He limped towards the exit before he saw yet another.
Talwyn!
Talwyn Apogee was shaking and searching desperately. Their eyes met and he moved towards her, deeper into the garage. She was reaching for him. She was on her knees reaching out to him. He kept limping towards her, dodging falling debris as the very building started to shake apart. He reached towards her.
She looked away and dashed off. Gone.
The quaking was stronger now and the roar was overwhelming. Sections of the roof gave way and collapsed. He crawled to the garage entrance. He saw a silhouette standing with the sun at its back. He kept crawling. The silhouette remained under the ship lift.. He was just meters away, but he could recognize the ears.
Rivet's face was half hidden in shadow, she looked 'off' somehow, but she stood on the path towards the exit. He knew better this time, and he didn't have any more time left to waste!
I have to get out!
Kept crawling to the exit. He crawled past Rivet. He kept crawling; she started following him. He was almost there!
Just a few meters left!
A hand clamped down on his arm and hoisted him up. He still really couldn't see Rivet's face but he knew it was her. He tried to pull himself free but she started to pull and drag him back into the collapsing building. He pulled back, trying to free himself from her grip.
He absentmindedly noticed how empty the garage was as it collapsed around them. He kept pulling away, desperately trying to get to safety. Rivet let go, pulled her robotic arm back, and punched him.
He woke up with a hunk of metal on his face, the roaring noise still in his ear and small hands shaking him. He blinked against all these sensations trying to slowly crank his mind into gear. The hunk of metal was Rivet's hand, the roar was her snoring, the shaking was Crash trying to wake him.
"Uncle," he whispered. "Uncle."
He threw Rivet's arm off of him with a great surge of effort. She rolled over, undisturbed by his act and still snoring. He turned and fixed Crash with bloodshot eyes.
"What's up?"
"Uncle, I heard a strange sound!"
He yawned. "Yeah, there's a lot of sounds on a ship. Engines, reactor rods exchanging …"
He glanced at Rivet still blissfully asleep.
"Snoring."
"Are we going to crash?!"
Ratchet glanced around the small cabin and observed the lack of claxons and the nonflashing of collision lights. He looked back at the small Lombax who was staring right back with cereal bowl eyes.
"No pal, we're fine."
With that he flopped back down on the pillow and willed himself back to sleep.
Beautiful, beautiful sleep. Sleep….
"But how do you know we're not going to crash?!"
He didn't, but at least he could sleep through the ship crashing. He couldn't sleep through the Crash shipping, er … Crash yapping.
"We're fine pal. Now go to sleep."
"But who's flying the ship?"
"Autopilot. Maybe Clank. We're fine."
Sleep.
Tiny hands shook him again. "Uncle. Shouldn't you check?"
No!
"No."
"But how do you know?"
He moaned. Somehow, he suspected that this was the universe's way of getting back at him for all the nights of sleep he denied Grim.
That's going to be a pretty big debt to pay Ratchet.
"Alright, let's go."
He got up. Rivet had already stolen all the blankets so all he needed to do was claim his boots and gloves. That done, he beckoned Crash to follow him and began the long, arduous, non-sleeping journey to the bridge.
Crash immediately followed suit, taking hold of Ratchet's hand. Ratchet held it with quiet regard. The boy hadn't known him for long, only a handful of hours, yet he was so open with everything.
Did I ever hold anyone's hand at his age? Wait, how old is this kid?
It suddenly occurred to him in a surreal slap to the face that he knew next to nothing about this kid. He was so put off by it that he found himself halted in the hallway. He was aware of Crash looking up at him in curiosity but he found himself overwhelmed by all the unasked questions.
He shook his head and resumed his trek.
"You okay?" Crash mumbled questioningly.
"I'm fine Crash. Hey listen, are you … okay staying with me and Rivet?"
Crash just looked at him with narrowed brows. "Yep."
"Alrighty then."
They had pulled the kid from the only family he had known on U'Tura. Ratchet was aware that there was a threat, and that whatever it was, they had a better chance of protecting Crash than the Urts did, but this wasn't simple. This was a living breathing Lombax boy. He wasn't asked to protect someone as much as he was raise someone.
This isn't going to be like our normal adventures.
The bridge door opened to reveal Clank and Kit to be the only occupants. They were at the sensory station, buried in deciphering the data that they were able to pull off of the satellites. Ratchet remained in the doorway and gestured to the two bots.
"See. Clank and Kit have got this. There's no need to worry."
Crash released his hand and wandered onto the bridge. Heading turning to the left and the right. He walked by Clank and Kit who jumped slightly in surprise by the sudden appearance of the child but calmed right back down. The bots gave Ratchet a nod but didn't immediately return to their work but instead kept observing Crash who was gazing out of the main viewport.
Ratchet wanted to sleep. He dreamed of sleep. Yet, he smiled out at the kid who was still coming to grips with space travel. All the excitement, tedious, and scary possibilities of space travel.
"But what about the monsters?"
"Monsters?" Ratchet asked while coming up to stand beside the little fuzzball.
"Kar says that monsters live in space. He says that sometimes I have to stay inside so they can't find me. Can the monsters find us now?"
"Who are these monsters?"
"Kar says they are tall and grey like ash. They have red glowing eyes and they wheeze. He says that they don't speak our tongue. Kar says that they eat Lombaxes and that they'll eat me if I go outside."
"I think he might just be messing with you."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, when I was little, Grim would always threaten to fire me if I acted up."
Which was all the time.
"But he never did and I don't think he ever would've. I think that was the only thing he could think of to scare me into listening to him."
"Who is Grim?"
"Grim is … was my boss, but I started working for him when I was little so he kinda raised me."
"Then you are like me. Kar raised me when I was little."
"I hate to break this to you pal, but you're still little."
"No! I am big and strong now! I am facing my trials!"
"Heh, yeah? Well even big strong heroes need their sleep Crash, especially if they have trials to face. Let's go back to bed okay."
He was already heading back when he heard "Uncle?"
No.
"Yeah pal?"
"I am hungry. Is there any more food?"
He sighed but smiled at the kid. What were you going to do?
"Yeah come on."
Ratchet nodded towards Clank and Kit as he passed by. Glancing over at Kit, he noticed her nervously knocking her knuckles together. The screen they had just moments ago been huddled around, had a planet on display.
Something's gotten their servos jumpy. One battle at a time Ratchet.
At the mess hall, Ratchet gave Crash free reign over whatever he wanted to eat. Qwark had told him about cereal and now he wanted to try it. One bowl of *Cinnapops Cereal later, and Crash had had another paradigm shift in his worldview. Now he was yawning.
Yes! Finally!
"Come on Crash, let's get you to bed."
Crash nodded, too tired to speak all of a sudden. Ratchet had obliged him by lifting him up on his shoulders to carry him out. When he turned to leave he saw Rivet standing in the doorway, her sleep deprived eyes were unreadable but a small smile graced her mouth.
Deja Vu.
He halfway expected Rivet to punch him as he walked by her to the room. Instead, she set a matching pace beside him and walked in silence. The tapping of Clank's footfalls followed them as well. When they arrived, Crash was already asleep. They tucked him in and Ratchet motioned Rivet to step outside with him.
"Crash okay?" Rivet asked before Ratchet could say anything to either her or Clank.
"Yeah, he was just worried about space monsters or something like that. I told him we were fine, gave him some cereal, now we're good."
"I think you're a natural at this."
"What? Pouring cereal? No, no, you're the one he's having fun with; I'm just the guy who checks for space monsters."
"I think you're selling yourself short."
He smiled at her. "Maybe, but he's going to be your problem in the morning."
"He is not a problem! He's a sweet adorable little boy with a lot of energy. I'll let him do my morning routine with me! That'll tire him out and he'll be nice and easy the rest of the day."
"You obviously don't know much about little Lombax boys do you?
"I'll leave the boy stuff to you, but the kid stuff I remember quite well. Come on! This is going to be fun!"
Against all sleep deprivation and the subtle worries about the other Lombaxes, Ratchet found himself matching Rivet's grin. All the stress and real concerns aside, optimism was Rivet's and his natural state. It may be that they won't find the other Lombaxes in this dimension, but they had a dimensionator. They would keep looking until they did.
We might need to drop Qwark off before we do that though.
"You heading back to bed?"
She hid a yawn, "What me? Sleepy? I'm a resistance member! We're used to long hours battling evil! You're the retired hero in your snug little dictator free dimension!"
Ratchet just openly yawned and stretched for good measure. "Yep. I'd say I've done a pretty good job on that end. And to the winner, goes the spoils."
With that he aboutfaced to enter the cabin.
"Uh, hey Ratchet. You, uh, want to grab a coffee, or something?"
"Uh, well considering I was about to go to bed … not really."
"Oh! Right. Um … that makes sense."
Ratchet couldn't help but notice her avoiding eye contact and the metal hand rubbing the back of her head.
"But Clank probably stocked the galley with decaf and I could go for a cup."
The smile she flashed was breathtaking.
"Then come on! I'll show you a special Mort brew."
"Is this going to involve lemonade in my coffee?"
"They are not a bunch of one trick ponies! They have other drinks they like!"
"Limes then?"
"It's a lot better than it sounds."
"I think I'll stick with black coffee."
"Seriously?"
"It grows on you."
"Well I think it's about time something else grew on you. Hang on a second!"
Ratchet watched her round the corner to the mess hall and dash off to the galley to whip up a fresh pot. The mess hall was one part dining hall and one part lounge. The couches in the lounge area looked particularly appealing to Ratchet at the moment.
He leapt and pounced on the soft cushions and his body immediately melted into the cool leather. He closed his eyes and breathed out a sigh of relief.
Oh thank you! Sleep!
"And here we are!"
THUNK!
Ratchet's eyes shot open as two mugs smacked down on the coffee table. He eyed the mug suspiciously before reaching for it. He brought it close to his muzzle and took a deep sniff.
Limes.
"Go ahead. Try it."
He brought the cup to his lips.
"Surprisingly good, isn't it?"
Help.
"You're right. It's, ahem, it's good."
"Really? Well I'll be sure to tell Mort next time we're in the area."
"I mean, no need to make it into a big deal."
"Are you kidding? You're the first one that actually liked it! They'll be dying to get you to visit again."
Are you kidding me!
"Uh, don't you like it?"
"Not at first, but …" she took another sip and gave him a wink.
"It grows on you."
He gave her a soft smile in reply. I'm too tired for this but at least she's happy.
"Hey, want to watch something?"
It will get the attention off me. Might fall asleep during the program….
"Sure."
"Sweet! Shows are so much better in your dimension!"
"Eh, they have their ups and downs."
"At least they're not propaganda."
He repositioned himself on the couch, fully prepared to be asleep in a few minutes. The sound of Rivet tapping away on the remote, searching for a show or movie was strangely hypnotic. His eyelids fell heavy.
Sleep.
"Hey is that Clank?"
His eyes shot open and found to his horror, Secret Agent Clank being previewed on the selection. He immediately tried to tackle the remote from Rivet.
"Hey, what are you doing!"
"Absolutely nothing to see here!"
"Ratchet!"
"It's just holovision actors is all!"
"You're asking for it!"
"It's garbage any- Whoa!"
Rivet had grabbed Ratchet into a headlock then used his extended posture to flip him around and pin him to the floor, his arms pinned above his head. She got right into his face, a small smirk gracing her lips.
"We have a problem Mr. Hero?"
He smiled in response. He slid his pinned arm up, exaggerating Rivet's stance, whilst simultaneously planting his feet firmly and thrusting his hips upward. Caught slightly off guard, Rivet was bucked off of Ratchet who reversed their positions and gripped her upper arms, using his body weight to help pin her.
"They didn't teach you martial arts in the resistance?"
"Robot arm."
"What?"
She flashed her canines in a grin. "Robot arm."
Said robot arm latched onto his hip and with ridiculous strength, lifted him up off of her.
"Uhhh…."
She flung him (yes, flung) up in the air. The world spinned and blurred by, he really should be used to this sensation by now, before he landed back on the couch with a bounce. He didn't even have time to orient himself before he saw a flash of white and yellow.
"OOF!"
She was atop him with her robot arm pressing firmly into his shoulder and her face centimeters from his.
"There! Now you're pinned! And we're watching Secret Agent Clank!"
A groan involuntarily escaped his lips. "And you're not going to let me leave?"
"Nope."
"Ugh, fine."
"…"
"…"
"You going to get off me?"
"Huh? Oh! Right!"
She scrambled off of him, brushing her hair back and avoiding eye contact. He realized that she wasn't wearing her goggles like normal. Somehow the thought of brushing his hand through her hair was oddly tantalizing.
"Okay, let's start this thing."
Ratchet folded his arms and snuggled into the arm of the couch. Maybe he could fall asleep before the truly embarrassing parts started? The theme was already playing as the credits started to roll.
Sleep.
"You're in the movie too!"
"Ugh."
"What was that about Holovision actors?"
Again, Ratchet just groaned.
I just want to sleep!
For fifteen seconds she was silent, for fifteen glorious seconds he allowed himself to hope.
Sleep….
"Ah ha ha ha ha ha! This! Is! So! Corny!"
She immediately broke down into giggles. Ratchet found it oddly relaxing though, like one could fall asleep to it.
Sleep ...
She slapped his arm to grab his attention. "Zoni, you play a chauffeur! A chauffeur! Ah, ha ha ha ha ha!"
Sleep ….
She slapped his arm again. "We better not tell Kit about his co-stars, huh?"
"Nothing happened," He muttered. "Clank is too shy to try anything, Kit has nothing to worry about."
Sleep darn it!
She fell silent. He closed his eyes, willing himself to sleep despite the universe's efforts to arrest his goal. The film was entering one of its slower parts. He heard Rivet stir and yawn on his right, then he felt an arm wrap around his neck and land on his shoulder.
Is she … putting the move on me?
His eyes shot open once again. He was wide awake now. His eyes shifted to the right and found Rivet still engrossed in the movie, or at least she appeared to be. She also appeared to be rigid in her posture, she was biting her bottom lip and her right hand was nervously tapping her leg. Her left arm was definitely wrapped around him in a weird gender reversed 'move.'
I'm not sure how I should take this. Emasculated? Embarrassed? Enraptured? Some other 'E' word?
"What are you doing?"
"What me? Just stretching! Yep, getting that stretch in!"
"Are you putting the move on me?"
"Whaaa?"
"…"
"…"
"…"
"Okay maybe a little, but I'm not going to try anything, I'm just … I don't know, warming you up to the idea?"
She wiped her right hand down her face in obvious frustration.
"Look, I know we haven't really talked about things. And I know that nothing is going as planned, but it looks like we might be on this ride for a bit longer than we thought and so I thought 'why not make the most of it' you know?"
"Mmm hmm."
"And … I'm not trying to pressure you or anything. I know you're still getting used to the idea, but I also know you find me attractive, and I think you're attractive so I … Ratchet?"
"Hmm?"
"Oh Zoni! Are you thinking that I'm trying to …."
"Hmm."
"No, not at all! I mean, the prospect isn't bad or anything, I just … we haven't decided where we stand on things and if we're going to 'do' something then I want to be meaningful. You know, as a couple?"
"Hmm."
"I guess I was just trying to get you to notice a bit. I really haven't been in any sort of relationship before, and I know we're not technically in one, but … I just don't know how to handle this. I mean on the one hand, I get it. We have a lot going on, it's best to keep our minds clear and on task."
"Hmm."
"But on the other hand, I don't think it's a good excuse because we always have something going on and nothing ever goes like we expected, so why not take a risk, you know?"
"Hmm."
"I don't know. I guess I feel like you blah blah blah blah blah blah …. Blah blah?"
At this point Ratchet's mind had ceased deciphering the sounds coming out of Rivet's mouth and had left it as white noise. The blahs continued but his subconscious found it comforting. Her body, which was still at his side, felt warm and the vibrations that carried over when spoke acted like a massage. He took one more deep breath before sleep took him, relishing in her scent.
He awoke, well rested but rather stiff.
Sleeping on a couch will do that to you Ratchet.
He turned to lay on his back and found a pair of eyes staring down at him.
"AHH!"
"Morning Uncle!"
"Uh, morning Crash. Any reason you were watching me sleep?"
"I was waiting for you to wake up."
"Okay then. Well, I'm awake."
The kid threw his arms around him. Man, he is huggy!
"Can I have some breakfast?"
"Sure kid, but you need to let me breathe."
Having been released, Ratchet lifted himself from his prone position to find Rivet on the opposite arm still asleep.
Resistance member battling evil huh?
Shaking his head, he carefully got up and proceeded back to the galley to fix himself a coffee and Crash a non-sugar filled breakfast. He was aware of the big eyes that watched his every move. It didn't matter how small or mundane, Crash was utterly mesmerized by whatever Ratchet did. From the corner of eye, he could see Crash mimicking his movements. When he turned towards him, he snapped back to normal.
That's how he underwent preparing breakfast, under the strenuous eye of a mimicking Lombax boy. Toast, a chopped loin, and some diced fruit, but most importantly coffee. The kid huffed it down without any complaint. Ratchet halfway expected him to complain about the lack of cereal, but he seemed to be anything but spoiled.
Though he was intent on getting a cup of coffee. This began the Great War, the war to end all breakfast related wars. For to deny a cup of liquid to someone raised by the Urts is to wish death upon them, and to grant a cup of coffee to a Lombax child is to wish death upon yourself. And so they battled.
Time and time again, brave Crash mobilized and charged the coffee pot to obtain the precious black gold. Time and again he was repulsed. When it became clear that the pot was too heavily guarded, he tried to liberate a mouthful from his Uncle's cup. Ratchet did his best to safeguard his assets. He positioned them in such a way so as to maximize his defense while still being able to enjoy his breakfast. The kid did not back down but neither did Ratchet. Assault after assault failed and it looked to Ratchet that Crash might capitulate. Then Rivet walked in.
"That coffee smells good."
"Help yourself." Ratchet said, never breaking eye contact with his enemy.
"Didn't go with Mort's brew I see. I guess it still needs to grow on you."
Huh?
"What's that supp-"
"Hey Aunty can I have a sip of your coffee?"
"Sure."
"No!"
It was too late. Crash had already flashed forward and captured the cup in his lips. He held the liquid in his bloated cheeks, flaunting his victory in front of his Uncle. Then his face twisted and he spat it back into the cup.
"That's disgusting!"
"I warned you. Kids don't like coffee."
Crash stuck out his tongue and began wiping it off with a napkin. Ratchet shook his head and returned to his cup. Rivet came by to sit beside him.
"This is nice."
"Yeah."
"You kinda fell asleep in the middle of our talk last night."
I did?
"Yeah, sorry I was pretty tired."
"It's alright. I think we cleared up most of the awkward air."
Huh?
"But if it's alright with you I'd like to pick on that talk later." Rivet continued.
Huh?
"Sure Rivet, I'd like that."
"Morning sidekicks!"
A collective sigh came from both Ratchet and Rivet.
"Morning Qwark." They both muttered.
"Coffee! Don't mind if I do! Hmm! That is a good cup of joe!"
Ratchet did his best to ignore Qwark.
Avoiding eye contact is the best strategy.
"I see that you didn't make any food for me! Not to worry! Captain Qwark is just as capable of having the cookbots do it for him! Oh, cookbots!"
Said cookbots rushed into the room and began preparing the captain the meal of his choosing. It was at this point that Clank entered the room.
"Good Morning Ratchet, Rivet. I hope you slept well considering the close proximity."
Ratchet glared at the silver bot. He could tell when Clank was being patronizing and he also hadn't forgotten that this was Clank's fault to begin with.
"Everything's peachy."
"Good. There is something that Kit and I discovered. Perhaps we could discuss it further on the bridge?"
Ratchet looked towards Rivet who was already looking towards him from the rim of her mug.
"Alright, let's go." He stated.
Rivet got up as well and turned towards Qwark, "Hey can you watch the kid for us?"
"Not to worry! I'll have young Crash up to Ranger shape in no time."
He then went back to eating his breakfast like he wasn't just tasked with childcare.
The Lombaxes shook their heads but ultimately fell in line behind Clank who had begun to move to the bridge. He was already speaking along the way.
"Kit and I may have located an out of the way trade hub. It would be the perfect place to pick up some more information, maybe someone there can help us find more Lombaxes?"
"How far away is this place?" Rivet queried.
"It will take approximately four days at warp speed. At present, we have no other ships in our scope but the longer the journey, the greater the risk that we will encounter one."
They had stepped onto the bridge midway through Clank's explanation and Kit had stepped in to join them.
"It sounds like a gamble." Ratchet mused aloud.
"If I may," Interjected Kit. "I believe we should use the dimensionator to bring us into range of the planet. This will confuse any ship that may be tracking us and lessen the risk."
"Let's do it!"
Without further ado, Clank punched in the coordinates and handed off the dimensionator to Ratchet who wasted no time and opened a rift gate. The ship plowed through at the same speed but now it was facing a world with green land masses scattered around blue waters. Rivet was already altering course to put them in orbit.
"We'll take both fighters this time." Ratchet declared. "Computer, tell Qwark we'll be back in a minute."
"Right on bro."
Clank had already taken his position on Ratchet's back, Kit appeared more hesitant.
"What about Crash? Will he not feel … abandoned?"
Ratchet and Rivet shared a look.
"It looks like this could get pretty dangerous. It's best we leave him here."
Ratchet nodded in agreement and proceeded to the armory to suit and arm up. They didn't take any of their advanced armor but they did update their ship cargo with some heavier firepower. They should be able to telequip their gear from a suitable range from their fighters. Having completed their inventory check, they moved towards the hangar. Aphelion and Azimuth were already powered up. Ratchet took a moment to observe the general's fighter.
Was he right? Have I abandoned them all this time? Maybe … maybe I could have saved them?
Ratchet shook the thoughts from his head and leaped into Aphelion. It wouldn't help to think about it now. He punched up the control and they blasted off towards the planet.
"So Clank, what can you tell me about this place?"
"Opherion IV is a temperate hospitable world that appears to be a trade hub for the region. Beyond that, I can't say any more."
"And these 'Hunters,' are they there?"
"I … don't know."
"Fingers crossed buddy."
"Um Ratchet?"
"Yeah pal?"
"I am sorry about the Lombaxes."
"So am I."
"I hope you don't see it as your fault?"
"I'm trying not to bud."
"It very well could be that the planet we found Crash on was an abandoned outpost. We don't know enough to say that the Lombaxes are near extinction."
"Yeah, I know. It's just…."
"What?"
"All those adventures, all those times I've been putting this off. All those times I've gone back into retirement so I could do what? Play hologames and work in a shop. How can I not feel guilty pal? How many lives could I've saved by coming here sooner?"
"You were only operating with the information you had, Ratchet. There was no way of knowing."
"I know bud, but ... maybe if I hadn't put off this responsibility…."
"You have saved the universe numerous times, Ratchet. You are one of the most responsible people I know."
"Maybe to the universe, but not the people in them."
"What do you mean?"
"It's just …."
"..."
"..."
He heard a sigh.
"I rebuilt the dimensionator for a reason. You appear quite lonely and … I never doubted that you were happy, but I always felt that there was so much more for you. I do not wish for you to be alone and … I'm not enough."
"Clank, don't beat yourself up! You're the best friend a guy could ask for! Look at how many times we've saved each other and yo-"
"That's not what I meant, Ratchet. I am simply pointing out that you have needs that my functions cannot meet. I cannot be a substitute for your family even if you are my whole family."
"Clank … I…."
"Adding more people to our lives doesn't cheapen our friendship. And your family is my family too."
"..."
"..."
"Thanks pal."
"You are welcome Ratchet."
They were entering the atmosphere now. Clank fell silent as they approached the outskirts of a city. Ratchet circled the city once. There didn't look to be any war ships or fighters. Just freighters and passenger ships. With like mindedness that comes from years of battling, both ships moved to the outskirts of the city where they found a clearing to land. Sometimes it bothered Ratchet just how much their minds worked alike.
Still plenty of differences though.
The ships landed and they disembarked. Both Rivet and himself took a moment to surveal the land. Pines as far as they could see, but a clear path laid in front of them. It cut through the forest in the direction of where the city was. The forest was eerily silent in the rising sun, and a haze of mist was in the air. A few birds screeched but elsewise no other sounds were heard.
"It looks like we're in for a haul." Rivet observed.
"The dashboots should make this a quick trip." Ratchet countered.
"We're not going to be able to pick up a lot of speed, but it's a short trip."
"Where are we?" A voice said behind them.
Ratchet turned and found Crash with his head popped out of Azimuth.
"Crash! What are you doing here!"
Crash lowered his ears. "I didn't want to be left behind."
"Crash, this isn't safe. We're going to take you back."
"Please don't leave me alone!"
"Come on buddy, it's not that we don't want you around, it's just tha- What?"
Clank who had been tapping Ratchet's arm now spoke up. "Ratchet, do you really think that Crash would be safer with Qwark than with us?"
"What do you mean? Of course he'd b- …."
"…"
"Never mind, you can come with us."
"Yay!" Crash dashed up to Ratchet, and with surprising agility, leapt up and wrapped his arms around him.
"Thanks Uncle!"
"Uh, no problem. Now, hold on."
Ratchet adjusted his grip on the boy and activated his dash boots. They flashed through the forest, dodging trees and jumping over underbrush. He kept his speed low as far as dash boots were concerned, it didn't stop Crash from whooping and hollering all the way and Ratchet found himself laughing alongside him.
"Jump! Jump! Do it again!"
Little speed devil isn't he?
They blitzed through the mist-covered trees. Ratchet had trouble seeing most of the obstacles till he was right on top of them. He was jumping over underbrush, fallen trees, stumps, logs, rocks, whatever that thing was. He was having a blast, and if his yelling was any indication, so was Crash.
They cleared the forest in no time, but unfortunately Ratchet had already been deafened in his left ear. That casualty aside, the main road into the city was in sight. Various vehicles and pedestrians were coming to and fro. They stayed out of sight in the underbrush.
"Are we just going to walk in there?" Rivet asked.
"I don't see any guards. Should we risk it?"
"Perhaps Clank and I can handle it?" Kit asked.
Ratchet opened his mouth to counter but found he couldn't find an exact reason to protest. Clank and Kit would stick together and Ratchet and Rivet would be close by if they needed help. They just needed to go in and see what info they could find. A quick in and out.
What could go wrong?
"NO! That never works! Every time we split up something goes wrong!"
"Well, not every time. In fact if yo-"
"No! We go together!"
"Very well, then let us proceed."
They stepped onto the road and began moving into the city. The city was nothing but a bloated town. The buildings were of an older make in both design and material. The vehicles coming to and fro we're much the same. A few ships entered and left but the traffic was fairly tame overall. It still felt like a pretty backwater world.
They received many a glance and side eye from the various aliens. The native species, or what Ratchet assumed to be the native by their greater numbers, we're shorter, fuzzy creatures. Their fur took a black and white color scheme and their limbs were disproportionately longer than their torsos. Their whole appearance was very badger-like and Ratchet soon found their attitude was on par.
"What are three jag offs doing?"
It was a vendor sitting at his stall.
"You talking to us?"
"You see any other short jag offs anywhere? Yeah, I'm talking to you."
"Uh, okay… what do y-"
"Yeah, shut up and buy something."
"Uh, what do you sell?"
"What does it look like! Jewelry, trickets, nice rocks for the lady. You've got yourself a lady there bub and if you want to keep her your lady then you need to buy her a nice rock."
"No thanks." Rivet said with an unimpressed sniff.
"Hey, am I talking to you! Look bub, the girls say anything. 'Oh don't buy me anything, it's our love that keeps us together' but do you ever seen them go for no broke guys? No! They don't like no broke guys! So you need to treat her right. You need to buy her the right things, yeah?"
"Maybe we could buy something else from you?"
"Now we're talking! You kids looking for a good time? I can hook you up!"
"Not what I mean. We're looking for information."
"Information? What do you think this is? The library?"
"Look, do you kn-"
"I don't know jag! Bother someone else!"
"Alright, alright! Sheesh!"
"Perhaps that fellow was right." Clank stated from behind Ratchet.
"What? I should buy Rivet tacky bracelets?"
"No, we should go to the library."
Ugh
"Do we have to? Maybe someone else here will know som-"
"Hey jag off! You're standing is getting in the way of my customers so beat it!"
"Alright, library it is."
He threw a bolt down on the stall. "Where's the library?"
"Around the corner and two blocks down. It's the building that says library dumbass."
He waved the badger dude off, not particularly caring to start a fight with him. They walked in the prescribed route, passing by more pedestrians along the way. They received more stares and glances from everyone they saw. Obviously Lombaxes were a unique sight, that's not a good sign.
Ratchet felt Crash cling to him, hiding his face from everyone's gaze. Rivet looked at the ready. Her stance was almost that of a combat crouch. He felt Clank's head shift behind him as the sentry bot continued to scan for any potential threats.
We're drawing way too much attention. We just need to get to the library. I'll have Aphelion pick usup when we're done.
The library was small and out of the way. The sign was written in some language Ratchet couldn't understand.
"Hey Clank, can you read any of that?" He turned around for the bot to see.
"No, I have no prior experience with this language. However, if we can get to the library central computer then I can download enough of their stores that I should be able to develop a working translation."
"We." Interjected Kit. "'We' can develop a working translation."
"Of course Kit. I appreciate any assistance."
"Okay, let's get to it then."
The library was mostly vacant. There was one Badgerling working there and a few adolescents if Ratchet were to assume. That was it though.
"Alright pal, there's a computer. Do your thing."
Clank and Kit both had dismounted and had hopped onto the too high chairs that surrounded the public library computer. The clunky hardware booted up to life with a green blue light. The whirring of its inner fans were like jet engines to the ears.
"This might take a while." Kit observed. "Perhaps you and Ratchet can look for additional information while we're working on this?"
"Alright, it's not like we're a lot of help anyway."
Ratchet walked up to the nearest shelf and pulled a random holobook from the shelf. The display confirmed that he still had no idea how to read this language. He sighed and returned the book before looking around the dismal building he found himself trapped in. It was then he noticed something horrifying.
"Rivet! Where's Crash?"
"I thought you had him!"
"Crap."
"Where could've gotten to?"
"Let's not panic! He couldn't have gotten far!"
"Okay, you take that side and I take this side."
"Which side should I take?" Crash asked.
"Take tha- … Crash?"
"Yes Uncle?"
"Where did you go?"
"I was grabbing a book."
"Can you read?"
"Yes Uncle. Can't you read?"
"Well, not in this language."
Crash puffed his chest up with sudden enthusiasm. "Then I will teach you."
He chuckled in relief and gave him a good scratch behind the ears. Crash responded with a pleased purr and a grin.
"Well that's enough heart attacks for one day." Rivet stated while also giving Crash a good head ruffle.
"Can I help you folks?"
The librarian had germinated out of thin air and was now staring intently at the trio. To Ratchet, she was every nightmare fueled stereotype of the crodgity old lady librarian, right down to the dwarf star size bifocals. She did not look unkind however.
"Uh, no. We're fine."
"We're looking for the Lombaxes!" Crash said suddenly.
Have we even told the kid that? He's moreobservant than I thought.
The old librarian looked from adult to adult. "Then you might want to try the old Lombax ruins."
"Lombax ruins?" Rivet asked.
"Yes, it's about seventy three kilometers northwest from this very spot, up in the mountains. You can't miss it."
"What do you think?"
"It's definitely worth checking out." Rivet responded.
"We'll give it a try then. Thanks for the tip."
"Please, no need to thank me. It's been a while since I've seen a Lombax around these parts and I'm happy to help."
"Hey, what can you tell me about the Lombaxes then? Are there any left and who's hunting them?"
The librarian suddenly looked uncomfortable and she shifted from one foot to the other. "Just go to the mountain. You'll find out everything you need to know."
Something's got her nervous all of a sudden.
"There anything at all you can tell me?"
"NO! I mean, no. Nothing at all. There's nothing at all to say."
Okay, I'm unconvinced.
The old lady shuffled away behind her desk. When she was at respectable distance Ratchet turned to Rivet. "Something's up with her. We should be careful."
"Did you think we weren't going to be?"
"This is serious." He glanced at Crash who was gazing intently at the pair.
"Maybe you and Crash should return to the ship?"
"Or, maybe 'you' and Crash should return to the ship?"
"Rivet."
"Ratchet."
"..."
"..."
"Uncle? Aunty?"
"Yes, Crash?" They both said.
"Can we please stay together?"
Rivet knelt down to Crash, placing a hand on his shoulder. "We're sticking together, kid. You can't get rid of us that easily."
He threw his hands around her in an embrace. Rivet chuckled and returned the hug, squeezing the life out of him. Ratchet turned and noticed the librarian staring again. She looked away quickly but the sinking feeling in Ratchet's stomach grew worse. He turned to Rivet again.
"We shouldn't go."
"Why not?"
"This doesn't feel right. It's just so suspicious."
"Yeah, I see the weird old lady too Ratchet. They can be weird and old sometimes."
"But doesn't this feel wrong to you?"
"Of course it does, but what else can we do?"
"..."
"..."
"Alright."
"Kit, did you and Clank get that?"
"Mostly, with our combined processors, Clank and I have already scanned through most of the data the library had to offer. We need some time to finish our translation protocols."
"You can do that when we get back to the ship. You up for a bit of exploring?"
Kit's smile was unmistakable. "Yes Rivet, I'd like that very much. Clank?"
"I believe that's why we're here. Ratchet?"
"I already agreed. Let's head back to the ships."
They made their way out of the library and retraced their steps back to the ship. They endured the stares and whispers as they doubletimed it back. The sinking feeling hadn't gone away, and after enduring the stares a second time it only intensified.
Just be quick Ratchet.
On the way back, Crash wanted to be carried by Rivet. Part of Ratchet couldn't help but feel slightly offended by that. Is he upset at me or some? Did I do something to offend him?
Ratchet was certain but the trip back was certainly more reserved in both speed and maneuvers. Rivet on the other hand was doing backflips and spins. Crash laughed and yelled the entire way back. Back at the landingzone, Crash continued his recent trend and opted to ride with Rivet.
Well I did say she had the mornings.
"Everything alright Ratchet?"
"I don't have a good feeling about this pal. Something's off about it."
"The Phoenix has been transmitting constant sensor sweeps. No warships or fighters have been detected and we haven't seen any threats in the town."
"I know pal, it's just a feeling."
"Everything will be alright Ratchet."
"Here's hoping buddy."
The ships blasted off towards their destination. He looked over the mountain range blazing underneath his ship. The pines that covered everything also obfuscated any building that he could see.
"Aphelion, scan for buildings with Lombax origins."
"Scanning. Scan complete. Building located."
"Lay in the course."
"Course laid in."
"Rivet, take my lead."
"Copy."
He pulled the ship around and circled the target destination. He could just make out the domed roof of a building at the summit of a snow covered mountain.
It's never easy is it?
"You see that Rivet?"
"Yeah I see it. Touching down."
Both ships descended in sync and came to hover outside a large dilapidated building. The building was peppered with holes and a section of the dome sphere-like roof had collapsed. Upon leaving the ship, Ratchet was overwhelmed by the cold wind that bit at his bones. A faint smattering of snow covered the ground.
"I should've brought a jacket."
Rivet and Crash leaped out of the ship. The kid looked around with wide eyes at the foreign landscape. He jumped out of Rivet's arms, then immediately jumped right back into her arms upon coming into contact with the strange cold white substance that covered the ground. His ears were straight up and his nose was sniffing the landscape. He looked between Ratchet and Rivet, "Snow? Is this snow?"
Ratchet reached up and gave his ears a good scratch. "Yeah, kid. I'll teach you how to make snowballs in a bit."
"Doesn't exactly look like great prospects." Rivet commented
"It looks like an old research station."
"Only one way to find out."
As he was kid free at present, Ratchet took the first steps to the ruins. A perimeter wall surrounded the facility, well it used to, now only a few sections stood. They jutted out like jagged teeth out of the mountain. He passed through the gaps and beheld the facility without obstruction. It looked like it had been used as target practice.
I've been in enough battles to know one when I see it.
He approached the building with greater caution. There was no telling what could be inside. His hand had already snatched up his blaster. The wind was ripping through him now, but he couldn't get any colder. There was no door standing anymore, just a black expanse to nothing. He stepped into the building. His eyes quickly adjusted to the lack of light. There was nothing. He took a few more steps. Nothing moved.
He saw that he was in a lobby area but he had to switch on a light to see any better. Old furniture was toppled over and rubble had piled up. He passed through a pair of double doors and found himself in a large room filled with tables, chairs, benches, and wrecked computer equipment. He took another step.
CRUNCH
He shined the light down and found the floor covered in bones.
A/N: Each chapter I start with the notion that this one is going to be a short one, well anyway, here we are. This one took a bit of effort and a bit of revision. It was almost longer but I felt that it was already getting up there. Plus I wanted to leave you on a cliffhanger. Because I'm evil. I'm not too sure how I feel about this chapter if I'm honest. I think it works but I'm not sure if I alike it as much as the others. I will give this one SPOILER, the next chapter will see the villain(s) introduced in some capacity.
My sister is on some pretty heavy pain meds, one time she saw me playing Ratchet and Clank and in her high state she declared that Ratchet looked like a cereal mascot. She then declared him Cinnapops. I thought I'd use the name for a cereal brand.